Hello Faith Formation Community,

I hope this email finds you safe and well. It was wonderful to see so many of you on last week's Formation Zoom gatherings. I will be scheduling more of those in the coming weeks! As we move through the 50 days of Eastertide, to me, they don't seem to be flying as fast as in a typical year. I guess, as we are all to keenly aware, this is not a typical year.

In this season that is usually over-filled with "End of the Year" everything, I am feeling a strong push not to do things they way we always have. I want to reset. I believe we've been given a gift. Though this time has not come without its stress, its fears, or its struggles, in midst of all the uncertainty there are gifts. The gift to begin again, the gift to do things in a different way, and the gift to see and reach people in new ways. All of these are opportunities to reset. We just have to be willing to push the button.

I hope in this email you will find some resources that will help you think through some of the next steps of Christian Formation in your context or at home. Going forward will most certainly look different. I think if it doesn't, we will have missed an amazing gift. Never would I wish a pandemic to happen. I do believe God has given us this time to use, to pray and to listen, and ultimately to hit the reset button.


God's Peace,

Program Officer for Youth, College Campus and Young Adult Ministries


Both of these are excellent posts by Fuller Youth Institute that o ffer concrete and helpful thoughts and resources on how to rethink and honor graduating seniors. These are ideas that can be used beyond the current circumstances of COVID-19.

This is an resource available for parishes to provide for members inviting us to "recognize God's presence in every day moments." Milestones examples include:
• Retirement
• Driver's License
• Middle School

Newly developed & Free:
• Graduation
• End of School Year
• Social Distancing
Vacation Bible School Summer 2020: Online Panel Register HERE
 Thursday, May 7th at 3:00 PM EDT
(there is a fee for this event)

eFormation Conference
• All Day All Online Learning
 Register HERE
Worship, learn, and connect with digital ministry leaders. This 1-day event will include 8 ecumenical presenters, worship, and conversation. The schedule and list of presenters can be found HERE .
• $89 fee to participate, plus a small event fee.
Wisdom from the Field
• Free Webinars
Thursday, May 21st at 3:00 PM EDT
• Summer Formation 2020 • Register HERE

Open Office Hours
May 7th at 1:15 PM •  Register HERE
Bring your questions about curriculum, digital ministry, worship, and more! Someone from the Lifelong Learning staff will be there to help answer and provide appropriate resources!

More information can be found on the Lifelong Learning Facebook

Catalyst Webinars (Free) Click HERE for more info on dates and topics
• These events with the Vibrant Faith Team are designed to offer suggestions for you and your church as we move forward in a time of social distancing.
May 12th - 14th
• Join with those who support and engage in Spanish Language Ministries across the Episcopal Church. Typically this event is an in-residence conference held at Kanuga, however given the current situation, the event will be held online.
• Register HERE
• Schedule, Speakers and other Information HERE
• Monthly webinar resources can be found HERE
Online, available for download
Downloadable resources for children, families and worship materials
• Free Resources during COIVD-19 • click HERE
• Weekly Lectionary based reflections for at home use for all ages.
• During COVID-19 teams of Christian Formation Professionals from across the Episcopal Church and beyond have been curating resources around the Daily Office readings. Those (including a weekly archive) can be found HERE .
"Helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus"

•Resources that facilitate Bible Study by theme, by testament/books and chapters, biblical vocabulary, and more.
• Free curriculum and video downloads, along with access to podcasts and blogs are available through the website.
•This is not an Episcopal resource
Appropriate for High School age and olde r
NEW
• Explore Way of Love Videos
• Links can be found HERE
• 3-4 Minute videos and primer cards explaining each of the 7 practices in the Rule of Life
Appropriate for middle school and older
• A book that explores the Way of Love practices for children ages 3-10 and their families.
• Free Lesson Plans to accompany the book can be found HERE

Adding this print resource along with this would be a way to create an intergenerational learning opportunity.
• Free for download
• Available for individuals and groups
• The class launched on April 20th, but you can utilize the resources any time.
Appropriate for college aged and older
Books & Print
• Available in English and Spanish this book is a collection of prayers and liturgies for children, their families, and anyone who cares for or loves children.
 Sharon Pearson and Jenifer Gamber
• A prayer book designed for young people grounded in Episcopal theology using language familiar to teenagers. The book includes sections on Common Prayer, Personal Prayer, and Kinds of Prayer.
• A book that helps find holy moments in everything we do.
• Includes some liturgies for free download like, A Liturgy for Medical Providers
• You can order the entire book or purchase individual liturgies for $1
• This is not an Episcopal Resource
Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness month. While we should all be aware and supportive. Particularly during the time of this pandemic, it is important to be aware of mental health issues and resources.

Mental Health Challenge Calendar - Developed by Maureen Clayton, LSCW and parishioner at Christ Church New Bern. This daily calendar seeks to help individuals identify new ways to manage stress in their daily lives.

•  Red Cross Mental Health First Aid Training - Free online training to raise awareness and offer basics of psychological first aid.

Provides many mental health care resources and has some especially for what people may be experiencing during the pandemic
Pentecost 2020 • May 31st

Thinking Ahead to Pentecost: 5 Ways to Celebrate • This post from Grow Christians offers five different activities and ideas to celebrated Pentecost at home.

Illustrated Ministry • For parishes to download and share, these resources offer coloring sheets in both English and Spanish.

Pentecost-in-a-box From Building Faith, this post shares ideas and items formation leaders to include tin take home kits for members to celebrate the Church's birthday at home!
Youth & Campus Ministry Information
E ast Carolina Youth Council Applications are now being accepted:

Are you or someone you know?
• A rising 9th -12th grader for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
• Designing and leading youth events
• Growing and developing gifts and skills for leadership
• Participating in and learning more about The Episcopal Church
• Sharing your faith with other young people
• Sharing your gifts and abilities with the Diocese of East Carolina
Application Deadline, May 31, 2020
 Campus Ministry Connection
High school seniors and current college students headed to universities and colleges across North Carolina can connect with the Episcopal Campus Ministry through "Just One Thing."

This one-page form will send contact information for the student to the Campus Ministry on college campuses where there are ministries. In the Diocese of East Carolina, this includes ECU in Greenville and UNCW in Wilmington.

In addition connections can be made at Fayetteville State University.

Click HERE  to fill out the form for "Just One Thing" and get connected with an Episcopal Campus Ministry near you .

Want to connect a student to a campus ministry beyond North Carolina? Contact Emily Gowdy Canady for assistance!


DATE CHANGE
Happening 76 will be
October 23 - 25, 2020
The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina | 252-522-0885 | www.diocese-eastcarolina.org